THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

MAKE DONATIONMembers of the Marine Corps Detachment 1130 of Sturgeon Bay gathered for a photo during the Logging Festival in Marinette Saturday to present a check to Erin Mendoza, Chapter Coordinator to help Marines that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). It is all part of a program Guitars for Vets that provide guitars for Marines with PTSD. Pictured from left are Roger Strege of Green Bay, Past Commander of Detachment 1130, Joe Vanidestine, Green Bay, Erin Mendoza, Chapter Coordinator, and Jim Vanidestine of Marinette. The $1000 check will assist veterans from the Green Bay Chapter. Plans call for a chapter to be formed in Marinette.

Plan Guitars For Vets Chapter in Marinette Area

Plans are currently being developed to have a chapter in the Marinette area of Guitars for Vets (G4V). The not-for-profit organization was founded in 2007 with headquarters in Milwaukee. They currently operate 32 chapters in 15 states and are dedicated to sharing the healing power of music with veterans suffering from significant combat related mental and emotional distress, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

G4V pursues its mission by providing free private guitar instruction and a new acoustic guitar in a structured program run by volunteers, primarily through Veterans Administration (VA) facilities and Vet Centers. Veterans are typically referred to the G4V program by their mental health provider.

Weekly private lessons are individualized and based on a curriculum designed to help students learn at their own pace and accommodate any physical and/or emotional challenges. Upon completion of the program, each veteran is presented with a brand new acoustic guitar, gig bag, strap, tuner, strings, picks, stand, method book and a certificate of completion.

Monthly group lessons, open to past and current students, provide an ongoing forum for veterans to continue their music making journey. To date, G4V has given over 15,000 lessons and distributed over 2,000 guitars to veterans.

For less than $300 per veteran, G4V can provide guitar lessons and a free acoustic guitar to the countrys most deserving heroes. Tax deductible donations will ensure the ability to continue sharing the healing power of music with veterans across the country. To donate through the website go to www.guitarsforvets.org, of if one prefers, send a check payable to Guitars for Vets, Processing Center, 11933 W. Burleigh St., Wauwatosa, WI 53222 or contact 1-855-G4V-HERO/1-855-448-4376 for more information.

Guitars for Vets also accepted donations of guitars and guitar accessories. For more information contact James Vanidestine at 920-246-9739 or 715-735-9627.